Hansard Articles - Sunflower Centre - 23/02/2012 - Article 10 Sunflower Centre Extract from NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard of 23/02/2012 (Article No.10) SUNFLOWER CENTRE Page: 8837 Ms SONIA HORNERY—That this House: (1) Notes that the Sunflower Centre, Hunter Region's fellowship service for people suffering with schizophrenia, offers a telephone outreach service conducted by volunteers. (2) Congratulates all the volunteers who support the Sunflower Centre. Page 1 Hansard Articles - 2Blend Cafe - 23/02/2012 - Article 11 2Blend Cafe Extract from NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard of 23/02/2012 (Article No.11) 2BLEND CAFE Page: 8837 Ms SONIA HORNERY—That this House: (1) Notes that the 2Blend Café, Lambton, received an award from the State Government in recognition of its outstanding sustainability achievements. (2) Commends 2Blend Café for caring for the Hunter environment and community. Page 2 Hansard Articles - Tribute to Mr Oscar Garland - 23/02/2012 - Article 12 Tribute to Mr Oscar Garland Extract from NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard of 23/02/2012 (Article No.12) TRIBUTE TO MR OSCAR GARLAND Page: 8837 Ms SONIA HORNERY—That this House: (1) Notes the passing of Mr Oscar Garland, World War II veteran and Cardiff RSL Sub Branch member, ALP Branch member, Freemason and Member of Lodge Enterprise. (2) Notes Oscar's contribution to the Hunter community and his proud role in the Defence Forces. Page 3 Hansard Articles - Newcastle Citizen of the Year David Horkan - 23/02/2012 - Article 13 Newcastle Citizen of the Year David Horkan Extract from NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard of 23/02/2012 (Article No.13) NEWCASTLE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR DAVID HORKAN Page: 8837 Ms SONIA HORNERY—That this House: (1) Congratulates David Horkan the Newcastle Citizen of the Year for 2012. (2) Notes David's work in the community and dedication to the reopening of the Regal Cinema at Birmingham Gardens. Page 4 Hansard Articles - Lake Macquarie Australia Day Awards - 23/02/2012 - Article 14 Lake Macquarie Australia Day Awards Extract from NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard of 23/02/2012 (Article No.14) LAKE MACQUARIE AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS Page: 8837 Ms SONIA HORNERY—That this House: (1) Notes that Swansea Men's Shed, Toronto Tidy Towns, Lions Club of Swansea, Faye Hawley, George Boyd, Kellie O'Sullivan, Andresen Karamus, Elyse Hudson and Damien McCabe were nominated for Lake Macquarie City Council Australia Day Awards. (2) Congratulates Faye Hawley, who received the Lake Macquarie Volunteer of the Year award for her efforts to raise awareness of suicide prevention in the Hunter. Page 5 Hansard Articles - Maria Roberts and Roadside Litter - 23/02/2012 - Article 15 Maria Roberts and Roadside Litter Extract from NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard of 23/02/2012 (Article No.15) MARIA ROBERTS AND ROADSIDE LITTER Page: 8838 Ms SONIA HORNERY—That this House: (1) Commends Maria Roberts, of Wallsend, for helping the local environment by personally removing rubbish from Minmi Road each day. (2) Notes Ms Roberts' suggestion that driver education ought to include the prevention of littering from vehicles. Page 6 Hansard Articles - Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease - 23/02/2012 - Article 29 Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease Extract from NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard of 23/02/2012 (Article No.29) DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE Page: 8842 Ms SONIA HORNERY (Wallsend) [10.26 a.m.]: I move: That this House: (1) notes that dementia and Alzheimer's are claiming more than twice as many Australian lives as they did a decade ago; and (2) notes that the Hunter Medical Research Institute, the John Hunter Hospital and the Calvary Mater Hospital would appreciate more funding for research and development to combat this insidious disease. In the 6½ minutes I have I shall outline some brief points to support more funding for research into dementia in the Hunter region. Of course, I shall focus on the Hunter region and talk about local volunteers' calls for more resources. I pay tribute to Professor Maree Gleeson, former Director of the Hunter Medical Research Institute [HMRI]. I shall refer to a media release of the Minister for Health, a quote from Conjoint Associate Professor Peter Schofield from Hunter New England Local Health District, a comment from Sally O'Loughlin, Regional Manager of Alzheimer's Australia NSW, some innovative research on dementia and sum up by urging this Parliament and the community to support more funding for further research into Alzheimer's disease. I commence with the reason for moving this motion. I read an article in the Sydney Morning Herald entitled "Time to combat chronic illness", which stated: The Hunter is facing a dementia epidemic with numbers of people living with the brain disorder expected to quadruple by 2050. Advocates say the region is struggling to cope with demand, and an urgent injection of resources will be needed to combat the impending crisis. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, and the stress it places on carers and their need for extra support is important. Dementia and Memory Resource Centre volunteer and former carer, Jan Curry, said that more government resources would be needed to help address the expected surge in cases. We have undertaken brilliant local research. Another great article by Professor Maree Gleeson was published in the Sydney Morning Herald in which she talked about medical research providing evidence for improved health care for all Australians. She spoke about the beneficial research conducted by the Hunter Medical Research Institute, particularly in other areas such as information for asthmatics, and she referred to the team of researchers that wins awards worldwide for its wonderful research, My next comment concerns the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research who, in September, welcomed funds for the Hunter Medical Research Institute. I agree with the Minister. The health Minister also said that the New South Wales Government is committed to medical research, that the Hunter Medical Research Institute is a fantastic facility, and the New South Wales Government is glad Page 7 Hansard Articles - Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease - 23/02/2012 - Article 29 to help build on research capabilities at the institute. More funding is needed for this wonderful resource that is being built on the John Hunter campus as we speak. Conjoint Associate Professor Peter Schofields said this about the need for more research on dementia, and for more funding and resources: We are developing novel low technological ways of investigating individuals with possible dementia disorders that could be used by general practitioners. More research support would allow us to speed up this important translational work. Sally O'Loughlin, Hunter regional manager for Alzheimer's Australia NSW, said in support of more funding that the Hunter region already has an estimated 8,000 people with dementia. As the population ages, the hammer blow of the looming dementia epidemic will be felt in the Hunter. We desperately need more support for research to help find a cure. I am sure that every member would agree. In November last year an interesting tidbit in the Sun-Herald reported on innovative research on an experimental stress test for the brain that shows whether a person is at risk of developing dementia. It has been trialled by Australian researchers. We need funding for this type of research. Scientists at the University of New South Wales were also involved in the research published in the Journal of Biological Psychiatry. We need more funding in our Hunter New England Health area and on the North Coast to support research to assist our doctors and nurses. According to the Newcastle Post, there are different ways of treating Alzheimer's. One of the Alzheimer's treatments at John Hunter Hospital is provided by a comedian and humour therapist. He visits the hospital and aged care facilities to make the patients feel better about themselves. An article in the Newcastle Post yesterday reported that it has become apparent that humour may hold part of the answer to treating people with Alzheimer's disease. There are many different, innovative ways we can conduct research and let us not forget the benefits of humour and making people feel good. Fundamentally, today I voice my support for all the researchers at John Hunter Hospital, the University of Newcastle and the Calvary Mater, and to seek from the State Government more funding for research on Alzheimer's and dementia because it is clearly needed not only in the Hunter but throughout New South Wales. Pursuant to standing orders business interrupted and set down for a later hour . Page 8 Hansard Articles - Soul Cafe - 08/03/2012 - Article 16 Soul Cafe Extract from NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard of 08/03/2012 (Article No.16) SOUL CAFE Page: 9281 Ms SONIA HORNERY—That this House: (1) Congratulates Wallsend Baptist Church Soul Cafe for their ongoing service to the community. (2) Notes that the Soul Cafe has been operating in Wallsend for 6 months. (3) Wishes Pastor Phil Skinner and his team of volunteers the best for their continued success. Page 9 Hansard Articles - Jesmond Neighbourhood Centre and Dianne Carr - 08/03/2012 - Article 17 Jesmond Neighbourhood Centre and Dianne Carr Extract from NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard of 08/03/2012 (Article No.17) JESMOND NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE AND DIANNE CARR Page: 9281 Ms SONIA HORNERY—That this House: (1) Congratulates and thanks Dianne Carr for her contribution and commitment to Jesmond Neighbourhood Centre and the local community over the past 23 years. (2) Acknowledges Dianne's recent retirement and wishes her all the best in the future. Page 10 Hansard Articles - Wallsend Town Business Association Street Planters - 08/03/2012 - Article 18 Wallsend Town Business Association Street Planters Extract from NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard of 08/03/2012 (Article No.18) WALLSEND TOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION STREET PLANTERS Page: 9281 Ms SONIA HORNERY—That this House: (1) Congratulates the Wallsend Town Business Association on its green initiative to install 40 street planters in the Wallsend central business district.